A dear beautiful friend of mine said today:

Pain and Tranquility are valiant together. She’s suffering from TBI, POTS, plus other unimaginable pains and symptoms all because someone wasn’t paying attention and hit her with a car.

I wept harshly yet with amazing joy because she is such a witness and example of the Truth of Christ.

As I recall a trip to Ossetia in 1987, and reading thousands of books I’m thinking of  Plutarch’s “On Tranquillity of Mind” advises focusing less on painful thoughts to maintain calm,or Epicurus and his writings where he taught pursuing ataraxia, a tranquil state free of mental distress despite physical pain.
More than anything else I am brought to the truth of Jesus Christ:

Romans 5:3-5 argues that suffering produces perseverance and character, leading to a hope that “does not put us to shame.” In John 16:33, Jesus explicitly links the two: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” The concept of “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding” (Philippians 4:7) is framed as a protective guard for the heart specifically during times of anxiety or hardship.

Thank you Rachel for being perfectly awesome.. My evangelist, My sister.